Pubdate: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Gregg Perry Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n768/a01.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LIBERALS SHOW CONTEMPT BY DERAILING MARIJUANA BILL Re: Mace-grabbing MP calls Liberals 'fascist,' April 23. It is with the gravest concern that I must protest the travesty that occurred in the House of Commons last week. I am not referring to Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin's touching the mace, but the greater affront to democracy that occurred when Liberal backbencher John Maloney proposed an amendment that effectively killed Mr. Martin's private member's bill on the decriminalization of marijuana. Mr. Martin's motion read: "That Bill C-344, An Act to amend the Contraventions and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights." The amended motion read: "That Bill C-344, an Act to amend the Contraventions Act and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana), be not now read a second time, that the order for second reading be discharged, the bill withdrawn from the order paper and the subject matter be referred to the special committee on non-medical use of drugs." This amendment reveals a callous disregard for the principles of democracy and enlightened debate. The fact that party members are forced to vote along party lines or face disciplinary measures means that we have a benevolent dictatorship in the Liberal party. The subject matter of Bill C-344 has no impact on me or my family, except to the extent that its passage would have benefited all Canadians by saving taxpayers a significant amount of money, and allowing Canadian law-enforcement agencies to cope with other more significant issues. It is claimed that the majority of the House favoured Mr. Martin's bill, and that it was also supported by 70 per cent of the Canadian public. The machinations of the clever Mr. Maloney amount to nothing but sophistry and a cynical disregard for democracy, and show contempt for the Canadian people. Gregg Perry, Duncan, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager